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Last Updated: Jun 30, 2008 - 11:14:37 AM |
MONDAY April 7, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Red wine and tea may help regulate the blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and published in the journal of Food Biochemistry.
"Red wine and tea contain natural antioxidants that may slow the passage of glucose through the small intestine and eventually into the bloodstream and prevent this spike, which is an important step in managing this disease." said Kalidas Shetty, co-author of the study.
Getting blood sugar under control is one important goal in diabetes management to reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and other damages to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.
In the study, the researchers found red wine inhibited 100% an enzyme called alpha-glucosidase responsible for triggering the absorption of glucose by the small intestine. In comparison, white wine inhibited the enzyme by 20%.
Alpha-glucosidase is a target for current drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Shetty and team attributed the effect to polyphenolics in red wine. "Our testing showed that red wine contains roughly ten times more polyphenolics than white wine," said Shetty.
"Laboratory results suggest that these compounds, found in many plant-based foods, may play a role in inhibiting alpha-glucosidase and slowing the passage of carbohydrates into the bloodstream."
The researchers also tested four teas including black, oolong, white and green tea. Water extracts of black tea was found most effective in inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase, followed by white tea and oolong tea.
Wine and tea had no effect on a pancreatic enzyme known as alpha-amylase that breaks down starch and patients can avoid side effects of medication used to control blood sugar.
The side effects of medications that control both enzymes include the bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates causing flatulence, bloating and diarrhea, Shetty said.
Wine and tea would not cause these side effects.
Another benefit of wine and tea, the researchers said, is that polyphenolics in wine and tea protect against additional complications of diabetes such as high blood pressure and heart disease. The natural antioxidants in wine and tea can neutralize free radicals, which are known risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer.
"These results provide strong evidence for further studying the use of wine and tea to manage some stages of type 2 diabetes using animal models and clinical studies, and point to the importance of an antioxidant-rich diet as part of an overall management strategy," said Shetty.
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